Madagascar has witnessed a significant challenge in preserving its tree cover, with a notable increase in tree cover loss over the years. The island nation, known for its unique biodiversity, has seen a net change in tree cover that reflects a 5.89% decrease, indicating a troubling trend for environmental stability. The primary driver of this loss has been identified as shifting agriculture, which has consistently been responsible for the majority of the tree cover loss, followed by smaller contributions from forestry and wildfires.
The latest incident data from Alaotra-Mangoro, Madagascar, reported on November 18, 2024, adds to the concern with the occurrence of a wildfire. Although the count of fire alerts was one, the incident underscores the persistent threat of wildfires to the region's tree cover. Over the years, wildfires have contributed to the emissions of greenhouse gases, although their impact is less compared to that of shifting agriculture.
Explore country profileThe data over the years paints a picture of a nation grappling with environmental challenges that have led to a substantial loss of tree cover. Madagascar's forest ecosystems are under pressure, and the ongoing loss has implications for carbon emissions, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of local communities. The trend highlights the need for sustainable land management practices to mitigate the impact on Madagascar's precious natural resources.
